With 2023 starting off strong, the CAAT Pension Plan has announced updates that showcase the strength of their investment portfolio and some amazing news for plan members.As a result of the plan’s continued success, members will see improvements to their benefits. As of January 1, 2025:
- DBprime plan members’ contribution rates will decrease:
- Contributions up to the Yearly Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) will decrease from 11.2% to 10.2%
- Contributions over the YMPE will decreases from 14.8% to 13.8%
- DBplus plan members will see pension benefit increases:
- There will be an increase of one per cent in the pension factor from 8.5% to 9.5%. This is important as pensions are calculated based on multiplying total contributions by the pension factor.
The plan is jointly sponsored by OPSEU/SEFPO, the College Employer Council (CEC), and the Ontario College Administrative Staff Association (OCASA) who, together, make decisions about risk, costs, and benefits. When the plan was founded in 1967, Ontario public colleges were the only participating employers. The plan’s focus on long-term sustainability and a secure lifetime retirement income for all Canadians, led to the development of DBplus in 2019. This secondary plan design was created to provide secure lifetime pensions to those employed part-time in the Ontario college system. It has since expanded to make lifetime defined-benefit pensions accessible to even more working Canadians.The plan now proudly serves more than 290 participating employers in 11 industries. This includes the for-profit, non-profit, and broader public sector with 82,900 active and retired members. The plan offers members secure workplace pensions and retirement income for life, while ensuring its long-term sustainability.As with all pension plans, the more members and employers who participate, the better it can weather downturns and ensure your retirement income remains secure.Despite the uncertainty and upheaval caused by COVID-19, which impacted the stock markets that affect a plan’s growth, the CAAT Pension Plan remains in a position of strength. As of January 1, 2023, the plan’s funded position remained strong at 124 per cent funded (unchanged from 2022). This means for every dollar of pension benefits promised to members, $1.24 is available to be paid out. These results demonstrate the viability of the plan’s investment approach and focus on long-term plan sustainability.This is fantastic news for our members with the CAAT Pension Plan. As such, we offer our sincere thanks to the OPSEU/SEFPO representatives who work on the plan, and we congratulate all who continue to manage the plan so astutely.In times of constant change and uncertainty, it’s encouraging to know that the members’ very well-deserved retirement is more secure than ever.
